The aim of this paper is to give an overview of the effects of SO2 and NOx pollution control on the energy efficiency of fossil-fired power generation for the following countries: Australia, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Norway aggregated), South Korea, UK and Ireland, and United States. Together these countries generate 65% of fossil-fired power generation worldwide. The level of SO2 and NOx control seems to vary widely for the included countries. The highest level of desulphurisation and denitrification is present in Japan, Germany, Nordic countries and South Korea. These countries also have the lowest NOx and SO2 emissions per unit of power generated. Limited pollution control is implemented in India and China, resulting in high specific NO, and SO2 emissions. The effect of NOx and SO2 control on net energy efficiency is estimated to be around 2% for coal-fired power plants and 1% for natural gas-fired power plants. The average power use for NOx and SO2 control for fossil-fired power generation is estimated to be between 1.2% and 1.5% of power generation output for countries with high levels of pollution control; leading to an effect on net efficiency of fossil-fired power generation of 0.5-0.6% points. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.